Snap-hook.



No. 677,365. Pafennd July 2, |901. y

F. MORRISON.

S N A P H 00K.

(Application leQ In'. 25, 1901.)

(Nn lodel.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT STTTCE.

FRANK MORRISON, OF HAMILTON, MONTANA.

SNAP-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters atent No. 677,365, dated July 2,1901. Application filed March 25,1901. Serial No. 52,861. (No model.)

T0 a/ZZ whom it' ntay conceive.-

Be itknown that I, FRANK MORRISON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hamilton, in the county of Ravalli and State of Montana,have invented a new and useful Snap-Hook, of which the following is aspeci` fication.

This invention relates to snap-hooks, and has for its object to protectthe usual springtongue against strain and displacement by the connectionwhich may be engaged with the bill of the hook and at the same time topermit of the convenient application and removal of the hook. It isfurthermore designed to provide an improved hook which is especiallyadapted for use in connection with harness-traces and is arranged sothat the trace-link, which may be engaged with the hook, will alwaysdraw upon the rigid body portion thereof, so as to remove all strainfrom the spring-tongue, thereby to increase the strength and durabilityof the hook.

With these and other objects in view the present invention consists inthe combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter morefully described, shown in the accompanyin g drawings, and particularlypointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes inthe form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within thescope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing anyof the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of asnap-hookconstructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention. Fig.2 is a central longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is atransverse section al view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all of thegures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, l designates the straight shank of the hook,which is provided at one end with a loop or eye 2 and at the oppositeend with a bill 3, the terminal of which is curved inwardly, so as toguide a ring or link into the bill of the hook. Directly opposite theterminal of the bill there is provided a shoulder or projection 4 uponthe inner side of the shank, the inner side of the projection beingdisposed at substantially right angles to the shank and the outer sideinclined or beveled, whereby the recurved terminal of the bill and thebeveled face of the projection lie at opposite sides of the opening intothe bill, and thereby facilitate the introduction of a link or ring.Suitable lateral projections 5 are carried by the opposite sides of thebill and at a short distance inwardly from the terminal thereof.

The spring-actuated tongue G has its outer end pivoted between a pair ofbearing-ears 7, that project from the shank, and its inner free end isbifurcated and provided with opposite longitudinal flanges 8, thatnormally embrace the terminal of the bill and the projection on theshank, thereby closing the opening into the bill, and thereby preventingaccidental displacement of the hook. A coiled spring 9 is interposedbetween the shank and the tongue, so as to yieldingly hold the free endat its outer limit, which is governed by the lateral projections 5,against which the iianged end of the tongue normally bears.

As best indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that eachliange has its outer end convened, so that should a ring or link l0,which is engaged with the bill, be thrust rearwardly and against theconvened ends of the flanges the latter will deflect the link to oneside, and it will take up against the projection 4 or the terminal ofthe bill, thereby removing strain from the tongue. Moreover, should thelink or ring become turned over it will still draw upon the bill orshank portion of the hook, as indicated in dottedlines.

It will be noted that the upper edges of the llanges are concaved, as at1l, so as to form a seat for the reception of a link or ring to pressthe tongue laterally inward when the link or ring is being applied tothe hook.

l. A snap-hook, having a lateral projection upon the-inner side of theshank extended toward and directly opposite the terminal of the bill,and a spring-actuated tongue, the free outer end of which is bifurcatedto straddle the bill, and is provided with opposite longitudinal flangesthat normally overlap the respective opposite sides of the terminal ofthe bill and the projection, whereby the ends of the flan ges close theopening between the ter- IOO minal of the bill and the projection, theouter ends of the flanges being conveXed.

2. A snap-hook, having the terminal of its bill projected inwardly, alateral projection upon the shank, located directly opposite theterminal of the bill and projected toward the same, the projection andthe terminal of the bill forming seats or bearings for a link or ringwhich may be engaged with the bill, and a tongue, the free end of whichnormally eX- tends between the outer ends of the projection and theterminal of the bill and closes the entrance opening into the bill.

3. A snap-hook, comprising a straight shank, having a bill at one end,the terminal of the bill being recurved, and provided with oppositeoutwardly-directed projections, aA

lateral inwardly-directed projection upon the shank extended toward andopposite the terminal of the bill, the inner side of the projectionbeing disposed substantially at rightl angies to the shank, and theouter side being beveled inwardly toward the bill, a pivotal tonguemounted upon the shank, with its outer free end bifurcated to straddletlie bill, and provided with opposite longitudinal iianges which overlapthe terminal of the bill and the projection on the shank, the outer endsof the anges being convexed, and a spring interposed between the tongueand the shank, whereby the free end of the tongue is normally held inyieldable engagement with the inner sides of the lateral projectionsupon the bill.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aftixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK MORRISON.

lVitnesses:

GEO. A. REESE, RUSH L. UPHAM.k

